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(No Model.)

W. o. CONWAY. HOISTING APPARATUS.

Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

IVILLIAM O. CONWAY, OF MOUNT GILEAD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LOUIS K. POWELL, OF SAME PLACE.

HolsTlNe APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,701, dated August 19, 1890.

Application filed January 10, 1890. Serial No. 336,501. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. CONWAY, of Mount Gilead,in the countyof Morrow and State of Ohio,have invented a new andImproved Hoist-ing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a portable hoisting apparatus of simple construction which can be used for hoisting purposes in general, but which is particularly designed for the use of butchers in slaughtering animals.

This improved hoisting apparatus is illustrated in the following drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of the apparatus, showing it in its elevated position and indicating its lowered position by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in vertical section, of the main hoisting-beam and its accessories; and Fig.3 is a face view of the upper portion of the hoisting apparatus.

This hoisting apparatus comprises as its main structural features a main hoistingbeam A and two Weight-supporting beams B B. The main hoisting-beam A has j ournaled in it, near its top and bottom, respectively, two pulleys O O, and over these pulleys passes an endless hoisting sprocket-chain D. Secured to this endless sprocket-chain is a sliding carrier E. This sliding carrier comprises a sliding plate F, which slides against the inner face of the main hoisting-beam A, between said beam and the sprocket-chain. This plate is secured to the sprocket-chain by means of tongues G, Which are passed through certain of the chain-links and securely fastened therein,so that as the chain is moved the sliding carrier will travel therewith.

To the sliding carrier E are pivotally connected the upper ends of the two weightsupporting beams B B. This pivotal connection with the sliding carrier is preferably secured by means of a crossshaft I-I, journaled in ears I I, formed on the carrier-plate F, upon the projecting ends of which shaft the Weightsupporting beams turn, being retained in position thereon by flanges J .I on the ends of the shaft. The upper end of each weightsupporting beam B is formed with an open slot K, which passes over one end of the shaft H, so that the weight-supporting beams can be readily attached to and detached from the shaft. The lower ends of the three beams A B B are provided with steel points L L, these points being adapted to be'thrust into the ground so as to maintain the feet of the several beams in fixed relative positions while the apparatus is being used. It will be evident that as the sprocket-chain is moved in either direction the sliding carrier will be moved therewith.v

For the purpose of moving the chain a hand-lever M is pivotally connected by a hinge or otherwise to the main hoistingbeam A. This lever M has a slot N near its pivotal connection, and through this slot the sprocket-chain passes. On the under side of the lever is carried alongitudinally-sliding spring-actuated latch O, which engages the links of the sprocket-chain one by one. Whenever the lever M is depressed,the latch O engages with one of the links of the sprocketchain, thus causing the chain to rotate and raising that portion of the chain to which the sliding carrier is attached. Movement of the chain in the opposite direction (which would be the direction to lower the sliding carrier) is prevented by means of a spring-catch P, located on the under side of the main supporting-beam. This catch automatically engages the successive links of the sprocketchain and so prevents the backward movement thereof. Consequently when the handlever is elevated it has no effect upon the movement of the chain, the sliding springlatch O riding over the links of thechain, its lower end being beveled for this purpose. Consequently by alternately lowering and raising the lever the sliding carrier attached to the chain can be elevated until it reaches the upper pulley on the main hoisting-beam.-

`to the weight-supporting beams.

The means for attachment will be determined by the purpose to which the apparatus TOO is to be put. The means shown are those preferably employed for hoisting animals during the processof slaughtering. Each of the weight-supporting beams is provided with a bracket or eye Q, and upon these brackets or eyes is supported a cross-bar or gamble, over the projecting ends of which are placed the legs of the animal to be hoisted. The operating-lever is thenmanipulated and the sliding carrier is moved gradually upward. During this upward movement of the carrier the angles of the several beams A B B oonstantly change, so that when the sliding carrier reaches its most elevated position the three beams constitute a tripod and are all inclined at approximately the same angle. The tripod thus constituted furnishes a iirm support for the animal or other weight which is to be' hoisted.

Inorder to lower the apparatus, itis necessary that the spring-catch should be removed from engagement with the sprocket-chain. To this end a spring-stop R is provided near the bottom of the main beam A, which when pressed upon by the foot encounters the catch P and moves it ont of engagement with the hoisting-chain. The sliding latch O on the lever is then moved by hand away from the chain, which is then free to be moved backward by means of the weight of the parts which are supported by the sliding carrier.

It will be'seen from this description thatI have provided a simple, strong, and ellieient hoisting apparatus, and one which is very easily operated. It can be readily taken to pieces and boxed for transportation in a small space.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a hoisting apparatus,a main hoisting-beam,an endless chain carried thereby, and means for moving said chain, in combination with a sliding carrier carried by said chain and two weight-supporting beams connected with said sliding carrier, substantially as set forth.

2. In a hoisting apparatus, a main hoistn ing-beam, pulleys journaled in said beam near to the ends thereof, an endless chain passing around said pulleys, an operating 1ever hinged to said beam and having a springlatch engaging said chain, a spring-catch for retaining said chain in position, and a movable stop for rendering said catch inoperative, in combination with a sliding carrier connected to said chain, and two weight-supporting` beams, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to said sliding carrier, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM O. CONWAY. Witnesses:

EMANUEL REAM, JOHN B. GARBIsoN. 

